Well, it was another fun-day at Slainte yesterday. The bar was full of so many supporters, including neutrals whose teams had played the day before, on Saturday. Always good to see so many regular faces, including an old one not seen for over a year, and new ones. Then there were the regular patrons present only for brunch and mimosas who probably had no idea what kind of atmosphere they were entering. I love looking at their reactions to our shouts, screams, banter and songs. Patrons entering had to squeeze through the EPL fans on the first floor and the staff are always alert above the noise. Upstairs was less packed and for those wanting to sit and eat.
It was the last day for Bret Holmes for quite a while, as he and Mrs. Holmes are expecting their first child in the next few weeks. Congratulations to them both and Mr. CITEH will be missed. It’s up to Ms. CITEH, a.k.a. Karen, to lead the uproar.
I entered Slainte just as the first big match of the day, Manchester City v. Tottenham Hotspur, was finishing. This would have been an opportunity for Spurs to close the gap on the league leaders. But Mr. Showman, Mario Balotelli, put them in the lead with a late penalty given away by Ledley King, ending the match 3-2. Manchester United, no doubt paying attention to the proceedings in the Etihad Stadium from down in London, would have wished for a different conclusion.
United were to play away at Arsenal in the second and final big match of the day. In recent days the talk had been of a revenge for Wenger’s men who were humiliated 8-2 at Old Trafford in the opening weeks of the current campaign. A repeat performance was too much to expect.
The match, which was televised on local Fox affiliate WBFF Fox 45 as a way of spreading the English Premier League, began with both sides feeling each other out. It really was not the best beginning to such a game as this. But finally, a goal came at the end of the first half when Valencia out-jumped Vermaelen to head into the net. Arsenal returned in the second-half and Van Persie equalized. It was shocking, however, to see Arsenal’s best player, Oxlade-Chamberlain, substituted for the unloved Arshavin, to the dismay of Van Persie. It was the Russian’s mistake it was that led to United’s second and decisive goal, scored by Welbeck.
When all was done, two big matches and big fun at Slainte.
Tags: Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Slainte, Tottenham Hotspur, Valencia, Van Persie, Vermalaen, Welbeck
